'''Kayseri''' is a city in the [[Turkey|Turkish]] region of [[Central Anatolia]].

==Understand==

==Understand==

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Kayseri is an old and large city with a strong economy. It carries lots of monuments from the days of Seljuks and Ottomans, and is also the home town of the most accomplished architect [http://www.greatbuildings.com/architects/Sinan.html Mimar Sinan]. Population has been steadily increasing and nowadays is around 800,000 in the urban center.

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Kayseri is an old and large city with a strong economy. It carries lots of monuments from the days of Seljuks and Ottomans, and is also the home town of the most accomplished architect [http://www.greatbuildings.com/architects/Sinan.html Mimar Sinan]. Population has been steadily increasing and nowadays is around 950,000 in the urban center.

Kayseri was also on the Silk Route and Karatay and Sultanhanı posts on this route reside in Bünyan town's borders. Bünyan is also famous for its carpets which makes Kayseri a popular purchase-stop for tourists visiting [[Cappadocia]].

Kayseri was also on the Silk Route and Karatay and Sultanhanı posts on this route reside in Bünyan town's borders. Bünyan is also famous for its carpets which makes Kayseri a popular purchase-stop for tourists visiting [[Cappadocia]].

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===By plane===

===By plane===

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Turkish Airlines and other domestic airlines have daily flights from Istanbul to Kayseri.

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[http://www.thy.com Turkish Airlines], [http://www.onurair.com.tr Onur Airlines], and [http://www.flypgs.com Pegasus Airlines] have daily flights from Istanbul to Kayseri. Sunexpress airlines has daily flights from Izmir and from Antalya to Kayseri. Beside the domestic flights there are also direct international flights to Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Vienna by Pegasus, Onur and Oger. The name of the airport is Kayseri Erkilet and has the IATA code ASR.

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Taxi to the bus station takes 20 minutes, 27 YTL. 120 YTL for [[Cappadocia]], there is a good board outside the airport listing taxi prices to various destinations.

===By train===

===By train===

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[http://www.tcdd.gov.tr Trains] from Ankara and Sivas run to Kayseri but they are not very popular as other means of transport are more comfortable.

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Trains [http://www.tcdd.gov.tr] run from following cities but they are not very popular as other means of transport are more comfortable.

It is very easy to get to Kayseri from other major towns. Among other [http://www.kentturizm.com/trindex.htm Kent Seyahat] is a Kayseri based bus company, and many other cities that have a route through Kayseri also offer quality service.

It is very easy to get to Kayseri from other major towns. Among other [http://www.kentturizm.com/trindex.htm Kent Seyahat] is a Kayseri based bus company, and many other cities that have a route through Kayseri also offer quality service.

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The new Kayseri bus station is located six kilometres north-west of the city center. A local bus to the centre leaves from a stop across the road directly to the south of the station. Tickets can be purchased from the booth immediately beside the bus stop, for 1-2TL.

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The station has an internet cafe (.5 TL for 30 minutes), left-luggage storage, restaurants, hairdresser, etc.

==Get around==

==Get around==

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'''Hunat Hatun Camii''' is the most famous mosque in the city that dates back to Seljuks. Seljuks have also left a number of schools (''medrese''), tombs (''kumbet''), and hospitals in the city.

'''Hunat Hatun Camii''' is the most famous mosque in the city that dates back to Seljuks. Seljuks have also left a number of schools (''medrese''), tombs (''kumbet''), and hospitals in the city.

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'''Mount Erciyes''' is the second highest mountain (3916 m) in [[Turkey]] and a popular domestic skiing location. Nowadays, foreign tourists have also started to visit the location. [http://www.erciyes-zumrut.com/images/pist_big.jpg Erciyes Ski Center] is 25 km. from the city center.

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'''Mount Erciyes''' is the 3rd highest mountain (3916 m) in [[Turkey]] and a popular domestic skiing location. Nowadays, foreign tourists have also started to visit the location. [http://www.erciyes-zumrut.com/images/pist_big.jpg Erciyes Ski Center] is 25 km. from the city center.

==Do==

==Do==

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==Buy==

==Buy==

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Handwoven carpets are the major touristic merchandise in Kayseri, but they can be quite expensive as some of them are silk.

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Handwoven carpets are the major touristic merchandise in Kayseri, but they can be quite expensive as some of them are silk.

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Kayseri is famous all throughout Turkey for it's Pastirma. This is seasoned beef which has been air dried.

==Eat==

==Eat==

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'''Pastırma''' is Kayseri's another well-known product. It's dried, salted beef covered with ''çemen'', prepared by a special process. Pastırma is served both as a spicy starter or used in dishes (e.g. in ''pastırmalı kuru fasulye'') or ''börek''s. Kayseri is the major source of production in Turkey. If cannot afford the restaurants, try buying 100 grams from a large supermarket or from old shops in the old shopping district behind the castle (''Kale'').

'''Pastırma''' is Kayseri's another well-known product. It's dried, salted beef covered with ''çemen'', prepared by a special process. Pastırma is served both as a spicy starter or used in dishes (e.g. in ''pastırmalı kuru fasulye'') or ''börek''s. Kayseri is the major source of production in Turkey. If cannot afford the restaurants, try buying 100 grams from a large supermarket or from old shops in the old shopping district behind the castle (''Kale'').

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'''İskender''' is a kebap variant, and its name is associated with Alexander the Great. It's meat is prepared similar to that of ''döner'', but is server in dish, and with a butter souce. Although others come quite close, a local restaurant called İskender is the best place to eat this, and is located on the opposite side of Hunat Hatun Camii.

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'''İskender''' is a kebap variant, named after its inventor (Turkish variant of "Alexander"). Its meat is prepared similar to that of ''döner'', but is served in dish, and with a butter sauce on the top. Although others come quite close, a local restaurant called İskender is the best place to eat this, and is located on the opposite side of Hunat Hatun Camii.

===Budget===

===Budget===

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==Drink==

==Drink==

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Gilaburu juice is a tradational drink from middle anatolia. Gilaburu (viburnum opulus) is a tiny, red fruit. It has lots of benefits to human body. You can drink Gilaburu juice in Elmacıoğlu İskender (one of the biggest restaurant in the city).

Understand

Kayseri is an old and large city with a strong economy. It carries lots of monuments from the days of Seljuks and Ottomans, and is also the home town of the most accomplished architect Mimar Sinan. Population has been steadily increasing and nowadays is around 950,000 in the urban center.

Kayseri was also on the Silk Route and Karatay and Sultanhanı posts on this route reside in Bünyan town's borders. Bünyan is also famous for its carpets which makes Kayseri a popular purchase-stop for tourists visiting Cappadocia.

Get in

By plane

Turkish Airlines, Onur Airlines, and Pegasus Airlines have daily flights from Istanbul to Kayseri. Sunexpress airlines has daily flights from Izmir and from Antalya to Kayseri. Beside the domestic flights there are also direct international flights to Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Vienna by Pegasus, Onur and Oger. The name of the airport is Kayseri Erkilet and has the IATA code ASR.
Taxi to the bus station takes 20 minutes, 27 YTL. 120 YTL for Cappadocia, there is a good board outside the airport listing taxi prices to various destinations.

By train

Trains [1] run from following cities but they are not very popular as other means of transport are more comfortable.

By car

Getting to Kayseri from other major cities is quite comfortable. The new 2x2-lanes roads make car travel much safer. Ankara to Kayseri takes 4 hours, Konya to Kayseri takes 5 hours.

By bus

It is very easy to get to Kayseri from other major towns. Among other Kent Seyahat is a Kayseri based bus company, and many other cities that have a route through Kayseri also offer quality service.

The new Kayseri bus station is located six kilometres north-west of the city center. A local bus to the centre leaves from a stop across the road directly to the south of the station. Tickets can be purchased from the booth immediately beside the bus stop, for 1-2TL.

The station has an internet cafe (.5 TL for 30 minutes), left-luggage storage, restaurants, hairdresser, etc.

Get around

See

Hunat Hatun Camii is the most famous mosque in the city that dates back to Seljuks. Seljuks have also left a number of schools (medrese), tombs (kumbet), and hospitals in the city.

Mount Erciyes is the 3rd highest mountain (3916 m) in Turkey and a popular domestic skiing location. Nowadays, foreign tourists have also started to visit the location. Erciyes Ski Center is 25 km. from the city center.

Do

Learn

Work

Buy

Handwoven carpets are the major touristic merchandise in Kayseri, but they can be quite expensive as some of them are silk.

Kayseri is famous all throughout Turkey for it's Pastirma. This is seasoned beef which has been air dried.

Eat

Kayseri Mantısı is the most famous dish Kayseri is known for. It's made from minced meat, wrapped in tiny bits of dough and boiled. It's served with a special sauce and yogurt. It's pretty difficult to find a restaurant to eat it as locals always eat this at home and they are prepared much better. However, Kaşıkla has now established a well deserved name in the city also for locals and if you can't get a local to invite you home, is definitely worth trying.

Pastırma is Kayseri's another well-known product. It's dried, salted beef covered with çemen, prepared by a special process. Pastırma is served both as a spicy starter or used in dishes (e.g. in pastırmalı kuru fasulye) or böreks. Kayseri is the major source of production in Turkey. If cannot afford the restaurants, try buying 100 grams from a large supermarket or from old shops in the old shopping district behind the castle (Kale).

İskender is a kebap variant, named after its inventor (Turkish variant of "Alexander"). Its meat is prepared similar to that of döner, but is served in dish, and with a butter sauce on the top. Although others come quite close, a local restaurant called İskender is the best place to eat this, and is located on the opposite side of Hunat Hatun Camii.

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Drink

Gilaburu juice is a tradational drink from middle anatolia. Gilaburu (viburnum opulus) is a tiny, red fruit. It has lots of benefits to human body. You can drink Gilaburu juice in Elmacıoğlu İskender (one of the biggest restaurant in the city).